Get With The Guidelines-AFIB Recognition Criteria

Updated:Jan 21,2015

Participating Get With The Guidelines® Hospitalis the first level of recognition. It acknowledges program participation and entry of baseline data into the Patient Management ToolTM*. View the Get With The Guidelines Participating Hospital application and award permission form.

Achievement AwardsThese awards recognize hospitals that demonstrate at least 85 percent compliance in each of the six Get With The Guidelines-AFIB Achievement Measures. The different levels reflect the amount of time for which the hospital demonstrates performance.

The Achievement Measures are embedded in the Patient Management Tool. They are:

ACEI/ARB at discharge for LVSD: Percent of patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and without both angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) contraindications who are prescribed an ACEI or ARB at hospital discharge. For purposes of this measure, LVSD is defined as chart documentation of a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 40% or a narrative description of left ventricular function (LVF) consistent with moderate or severe systolic dysfunction.

Assessment of thromboembolic risk factors: Percent of patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter in whom assessment of thromboembolic risk factors using the CHADS2 risk criteria has been documented.

Beta blocker at discharge: Percent of patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) prescribed a beta blocker at hospital discharge.

Discharged on FDA-approved anticoagulation therapy: Percent of patients discharged on warfarin or other anticoagulant drug that is FDA approved for the prevention of thromboembolism for all patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter at high risk for thromboembolism, according to CHADS2 risk stratification.

Statin at discharge in AF patients with CAD, CVA/TIA or PVD: Percent of patients with either CAD, CVA/TIA, PAD or diabetes who were prescribed a statin at hospital discharge.

To qualify for an Achievement Award, a hospital must:

Achieve Participating Get With The Guidelines-AFIB Hospital status.

Demonstrate compliance in the six Get With The Guidelines-AFIB Achievement Measures in at least 85 percent of all eligible patients. This must be documented in a written application, signed by a hospital representative and include the names of the hospital staff collecting the data.

Complete application templates for the Bronze, Silver or Gold awards.

Have the application signed by the hospital's vice president or senior director of quality improvement initiatives.

Submit the signed application form indicating that all criteria have been met.

Please note:

Baseline data is not to be included in the demonstrated time frame of adherence.

Once a hospital has been recognized with a Get With The Guidelines-AFIB Silver Achievement Award, it is no longer eligible for the Get With The Guidelines-AFIB Bronze Achievement Award.

Recognition criteria is subject to change based on program enhancements.

Six key Achievement Measures are being used to evaluate and recognize success. These measures are consistent with those measures used by several organizations. However, all of the measures in Get With The Guidelines are important in the care of patients.